Studies in Ethnobiology recognize the local populations as carriers of great wisdom about the
dynamics and functioning of nature. Understand the local knowledge about the environment and
its influence on the behavior of the societies is the starting point for the success of conservation
strategies, also in places already highly modified by human, as the region of Uberlândia-MG.
Ethnoornitology field is still little explored in Brazil and researchs in such area are incipient in
the Triângulo Mineiro region. This research investigated the local knowledge of the inhabitants
of the rural districts of Cruzeiro dos Peixotos, Martinésia and Tapuirama (Uberlândia-MG) on the
ecology, behavior, taxonomy, nomenclature and economic-cultural aspects of the birds of the
region, emphasizing the Ethnoecology and Ethnotaxonomy of the Psittacidae of occurrence in the
study areas, pointing the agreement and disagreements between the scientific knowledge and the
local knowledge. To achieve this aim, it was used instruments for collecting data frequently
employed in ethnographic research, such as semi-structured interviews and presentation of audiovisual
materials. Ten informants in each district had been interviewed, living at least 10 years in
the place, without formal instruction on birds. As results of the research were raised 156 bird
species, distributed in 22 orders and 40 families, according to the scientific classification, cited
under 245 common names. Most birds cited (n = 97) was identified at the terminal taxon of the
scientific classification, being generic the most important category for the local taxonomy. Bird
identification and classification by informants followed morphological parameters, such as color,
size and vocalization. It was pointed out by informants that the best times to see and hear birds is
the dawn and evening, mainly in the "bush" and in backyards. Amazona aestiva, Ara ararauna,
Aratinga aurea, Aratinga leucophtalma, Brotogeris chiriri and Forpus xanthopterygius were the
Psittacidae species most cited at all stages of the work, and there was an increase in the
percentage of citations after presentation of the plates. These species most remembered and
recognized by informants also had their vocalizations more easily identified, although the
acoustic identification has not been as accurate as the visual identification, due to the great
similarity of the vocalization of Psittacidae. Damages in crop and electrical wiring were cited as
problems for human. Psittacidae traffic is known by informants, who are aware of the illegality of
that trade, suggesting captivity creation through record of the bird in IBAMA. Interviewees
informations about breeding and nesting of Psittacidae are similar to the data from scientific
literature. They identified the localization of the nests ranging between Psittacidae and spoke of
parental care by both parents, which are differentiated by them from small differences in color
and size, although doesn t have related in the literature evident sexual dimorphism in the group.
The research enabled to known common names not described in the literature. It provided yet
indicators of changes in the traditions of the districts inhabitants, due to the reduction of the
cultural transmission of the local ecological knowledge, produced and accumulated over the
generations. It was perceived that involve local populations in ethnobiological researchs
stimulates a rediscovery of the environment around them, which favors the practice of
conservation actions and provides rescue of cultural knowledge.